Wednesday 30 March 2016 15:02, UK
Josh Charnley will switch codes at the end of the Super League season when he leaves Wigan Warriors to join Sale Sharks.
Wigan have also confirmed Dan Sarginson will move to the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL in the summer after his contract expires.
Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan said the club had offered Charnley, who has scored 148 tries in 152 games for Wigan, a deal which would have placed him among their top earners but that the player wants to take on a new challenge in rugby union.
We offered Josh a new long-term contract that would put him up there with the biggest earners at the club
Lenagan said: "Kris Radlinski and I have been in negotiations with Josh Charnley and his representatives for more than a year and have done everything possible to allow Josh to stay at Wigan and rekindle his partnership with Sam Tomkins.
"We offered Josh a new long-term contract that would put him up there with the biggest earners at the club but having won so much at Wigan, he feels that the time is right to take on a new challenge.
"We are naturally disappointed with his decision but would like to thank him for everything that he has done for the Wigan Club. His try-scoring record is impeccable and we hope that he can leave Wigan on a high at the end of the season.
"Having brought Dan Sarginson from London Broncos to Wigan and helped him improve as a player to the point where he played for the England national side, we are similarly disappointed that he has decided his future lies in Australia but understand the player's view."
Wigan Warriors head coach Shaun Wane said: "Josh has decided that he wants to do something different and we respect that. Having been involved with the Wigan Warriors first team since Josh made his debut in 2010 it is with a heavy heart that I will see him leave."
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond is looking forward to having Charnley in his squad next season.
He said: "Josh is a great signing for us. He was schooled in the famous Wigan Academy and everyone I have spoken to rates him very highly. He has explosive pace and can play either full-back or on the wing.
"The last big signing we made from Wigan back in 2000 was Jason Robinson and what impact he had. I am sure Josh will fit in perfectly with us at Sale Sharks and look forward to him joining us in the autumn."
